'Faces Places' Is A Wonderful Showcase Of Beauty And Human Connection | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Entertainment

'Faces Places' Is A Wonderful Showcase Of Beauty And Human Connection

Follow Agnès Varda and JR as they put up murals around rural France and find friendship along the way too.

47
'Faces Places' Is A Wonderful Showcase Of Beauty And Human Connection
Unsplash

Recently, I have been on a documentary watching binge and stumbled upon, quite possibly, one of the best documentaries I have watched in awhile, "Faces Places." The premise of the documentary is quite niche: an aged French New Wave director Agnès Varda and photographer muralist JR travel throughout rural parts of France putting up different murals of people in the town as well as forming an unlikely bond along the way. Now, as strange as this premise sounds it ends up being quite possibly the best combination that could happen.

The documentary is quite short, only an hour and 34 minutes. But within that hour and 34 minutes, I laughed, cried, and thought much more than I thought I would. Varda may seem sweetly docile in the beginning but throughout the documentary she proves she is quite the force to be reckoned with. She doesn't let her age, gender, height, or anything about her stop her from speaking her mind, sharing her ideas, and showing her emotions. Agnès becomes the center that connects almost every person her and JR meet along the way.

And that is what makes this particular documentary so special, the emphasis and showcase on human connection. It is a truly special thing to witness people come together and bond over things in life that are seemingly monotonous, but the fabric that connects us all as humans. Whether that be a French farmer in Normandy or even the deep friendship that forms between Agnès and JR, the bonds that spontaneously form between the people in this documentary are as unique, special, and heartwarming as the documentary itself.

More than the bonds and friendships that happen in this documentary, there is also a strong emphasis on art. And finding the beauty of art through the seemingly monotonous, everyday instances and people in day-to-day life. The murals Agnès and JR put up around France showcase beauty, personal experience, heartache, love, and just about anything else that you could imagine. They are truly poetic in nature.

Overall, this documentary is a great, heartfelt watch without diving too deep into political and social commentary as it seems so many documentaries strive to do today. Don't let the French audio and (I am assuming) need for English subtitles stop you from watching what truly is a masterpiece of a documentary.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Adulting

18 Things I Want To Do Now That I'm 18

I'm technically an adult, so I'm legally required to live a little, right?

452
Happy Birthday Cake

For the entirety of my high school career, I was always seen as the goody-two-shoes. I never got in trouble with a teacher, I kept stellar grades, and when I wasn't doing extracurricular activities, I was at home studying. Even when I did go out, it was usually with a bunch of fellow band geeks. The night would end before 11:00 PM and the only controversial activity would be a fight based on who unfairly won a round of Apples-to-Apples when someone else clearly had a better card (I promise I'm not still holding a grudge).

Now that I'm officially an adult, I want to pursue some new things. I want to experience life in a way that I never allowed myself to do prior to entering college. These are the years that I'm supposed to embark on a journey of self-discovery, so what better way to do that than to create a bucket list?

Keep Reading...Show less
Featured

10 Life Lessons from Christmas Classics

The holiday classics that shaped my life

283
10 Life Lessons from Christmas Classics
Flickr

The holiday season is full of stress, debt, and forced conversation. While we rush through the month of December, it's important to take a step back and enjoy the moments before they're gone. Most families love to watch Christmas movies, but these beloved films provide more than entertainment. Here are 10 life lessons that I've learned from the holiday classics we watch every year.

Keep Reading...Show less
Featured

15 Mind-Bending Riddles

Hopefully they will make you laugh.

199217
 Ilistrated image of the planet and images of questions
StableDiffusion

I've been super busy lately with school work, studying, etc. Besides the fact that I do nothing but AP chemistry and AP economics, I constantly think of stupid questions that are almost impossible to answer. So, maybe you could answer them for me, and if not then we can both wonder what the answers to these 15 questions could be.

Keep Reading...Show less
Entertainment

Most Epic Aurora Borealis Photos: October 2024

As if May wasn't enough, a truly spectacular Northern Lights show lit up the sky on Oct. 10, 2024

20275
stunning aurora borealis display over a forest of trees and lake
StableDiffusion

From sea to shining sea, the United States was uniquely positioned for an incredible Aurora Borealis display on Thursday, Oct. 10, 2024, going into Friday, Oct. 11.

It was the second time this year after an historic geomagnetic storm in May 2024. Those Northern Lights were visible in Europe and North America, just like this latest rendition.

Keep Reading...Show less
 silhouette of a woman on the beach at sunrise
StableDiffusion

Content warning: This article contains descriptions of suicide/suicidal thoughts.

When you are feeling down, please know that there are many reasons to keep living.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments